Digestive discomfort has become more common over the last 20 years. There are more people experiencing reflux, pain, bloating as well as irregular and uncomfortable bowel motions than ever before.
It feels like it’s putting a coating on my stomach lining which helps ease things and it’s quite soothing and doesn’t make me as hungry. Client X, March 2024
If you've been looking you will have noticed that there are many healing powders, teas, supplements and foods available that can work to heal the gut. Choosing what to take with all this information can become a bit overwhelming, so I decided to make up my own Gut Healing Powder - and I've included my favourite healing nutrients and plants that together will work to soothe an inflamed and uncomfortable digestive system as well as help improve digestion, immunity and regularity.
Did you know that 70-80% of the immune system is in the gut?
The microbiota in the gut play an important role in the regulation of brain activity and cognitive function (memory, attention, problem solving skills)
What is in the Gut Healing Powder
Slippery Elm powder - This powder comes from the stringy, soft portion of the inner bark of the elm tree. The bark
contains mucilage, a substance that forms a slippery coating on the lining of the digestive tract, protecting the surface of the gut from acids and inflammation. Slippery elm soothes and helps to reduce discomfort in the stomach while it absorbs and excretes toxins. According to some studies, slippery elm causes an increase in mucus secretion, which may help protect the stomach from too much acid production. It contains various nutrients, such as iron, manganese, calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, antioxidants, vitamin C and some B vitamins.
Slippery elm is safe for babies to take (in appropriate doses) and can be beneficial as a first food - that is how healing it is!
L-Glutamine is an amino acid, that is naturally found in protein, which is the primary fuel used by the cells in your gut lining. These cells are able to absorb l-glutamine directly, so they are able to repair and regrow themselves. This results in increased intestinal mucous and Secretary Immunoglobulin Type A (SIgA). It also tightens up the openings into the cells of your gut lining, thereby reducing the risk of large undigested food molecules and other toxins crossing the gut barrier and into your bloodstream (ie stopping leaky gut, - that will be discussed more in another blog). L-glutamine increases the uptake of nutrients as well.
Calendula (Marigold) flowers - these beautiful flowers have a range of actions in the body; they are anti-inflammatory so- healing to leaky gut, and antihemorrhagic, thus sooth ulcerated surfaces, antifungal and antiviral so will help kill off any toxins, fungi and bacteria in the gut as well as boost the immune system (as mentioned above - 70-80% of which is in the gut). Calendula also aids to very gently stimulate the gallbladder and thus improve digestion.
Marshmallow root - this herb has been used for centuries for healing the gut. The anti-inflammatory and mucilaginous powder is taken internally to soothe any inflammation of the digestive tract from the mouth to the intestinal mucosa down to the anus. It contains the minerals calcium, zinc, iron sodium and iodine. (Note there are other uses for the leaves which is another story!)
Turmeric root - this wonderful root has so many actions. it is gut healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and used for IBS and other inflammatory bowel diseases as well as digestion in general.
Note: ingredient contents are subject to availability.
Dosage instructions:
Adults - take one - two teaspoons once or twice daily in water, juice, yoghurt (dairy free if dairy intolerant) or smoothies.
Children under 5 take a half dose.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding check with your practitioner first.
If you would like to purchase some Gut Healing powder it is available for New Zealand delivery only.
100gram - $29.00 plus postage. (Extra for rural delivery)
200grams - $55.00 plus postage. (Extra for rural delivery)
Note: ingredient contents are subject to availability.
Order your powder now: jasmin@warkworthnaturopath.co.nz
'Your powder seems to be really helping my stomach. I've been under an incredible amount of stress the past week, including a full night of anxiety and knots in my stomach. Usually, this would entail my stomach to do a freak out. This time it has not been so bad. I'd like to order some more." T June 2021
"The Powder is keeping me regular - usually I suffer from a lot of wind and loose bowel motions" A nneDec 2022
"I actually really like adding the Gut Powder to my smoothies - it is such an easy way to take it" Beth March 2023